Last Sunday, a group of British tourists found
themselves with more than just a bellyful of sweet treats when they ordered
four ice creams from a parlour by Rome's Spanish Steps. The total bill, 64 euros,
brought shock, dismay and an appearance on BBC Breakfast. The parlour itself
wasn't completely penitent: an anonymous worker said that “the prices are clearly
on display. They got what they asked for -- four ice creams.” In any case, the
tourists won in the court of public opinion, receiving from Rome's mayor both
an apology and an invite
to return for free ice cream. [Irish Times]

Is it possible that tourists
could be getting lots of things right? Going to the most popular places at
the most popular time, and doing it with capacious bags packed for every
contingency just might be the best way to travel. [USA Today]

In-flight entertainmentPhotos and
videos that went viral on the Web this week

Travel writer Richard Grant hosted a moving
video of just
what drew him to the Mississippi Delta. He travels from the Peabody Hotel's
lobby, where ducks swim daily, to the infamous crossroads where the musician Robert
Johnson sold his soul to the devil to learn how to play the blues. [The
Guardian]